Many pilots study and gave up alot to do what they like...fly. Commercial Airlines are forced to retire at 60. Well many pilots are in good shape and have the experience needed. My opinion is anyone that wants to keep flying for an airline should but a rule must apply. Have you first class medical certificate upgraded every 3 months instead of 6. On the other hand we don't want old pilots dying unsuddenly in the flight deck. I agree and in a way disagree with the 60 retirement rule. Tell me what you think.

I also MOSTLY disagree witht he 60 retirement rule. There are many great pilots out there who are over 60, and could be flying right now. Anyways, I can whine all I want, but that won't change a thing.

Kind regards.

"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran

I'm with you on this one, Capt. When I was a kid (back in the early 1960's) 60 years old was old. Part of that was my perception of age, but part of it was the fact that the life expectancy of people back then was about 70. When I compare my parents current physical condition (now in their mid-70's) to that of my grandparents when they were at the same age, all but one were dead! My parents are in great shape. The 60 year old retirement rule was written when the age of 60 was old. Things have changed, and people are generally in better shape. I'd say that 65 to 67 would be a better age. 60 ain't old any more.

The age of retirement should definitely be pushed back to 65. If you think about it a pilot flying in a big airline would probably be a captain for only 10-15 years. that would suck alot considering what you had to go through to get their. at 65 you should have a good 42 years of flying with an airline. 5 years alot. YEAH!!! its half a decade more. I would be much happier. Does anyone know of an airline that lets pilots fly after 60?

I've met an Electra F/E who started his career with Eastern Airlines on the Constellation as a F/O. He was 69 years old (that was 2 years ago by the way) and he just couldn't stop flying! I remember also a B747-400 captain who had to retire from a major airline at 60. He's now flying old F27 freighters during the night, how sad after flying jumbo jets for decades. This 60 rule is just stupid.

In the UK it is 55!! The reason for this comes from the military (like so many other flying things), I agree with it honestly. If you want to continue working for the airline you can as a sim instructor, or in another department. What I like about this rule is too many people do not retire till they are too old to enjoy, I think making people retire at an earlier age is great! They can still fly as an instructor or a coporate pilot if the have the urge, but I think many pilots see it as a mission complete!
Iain

Iainhol: With respect, a Canadian pilot can fly into/out of the UK until he/she is 65.

The age 60 rule is being promulgated by ALPA to encourage older pilots to retire and allow the younger generation to fill the seats.

As American pilot ranks get rapidly depleted over the next 5-10 years, ALPA can be expected to revise their commitment to the Age 60 Rule. Once this happens, the FAR's will follow, probably with a 10 year lag. Currently, I as a pilot licensed in Canada may overfly the USA, but may not land and then take off again on a commercial venture once past my 60th birthday.

As go the FAR's, so go most of the world's regulations. Time for a "wake up!" folks. It's the 21rst Century!!

Buff...you were wrong in stating that the age 60 rule is an ALPA initiated issue. This mandatory retirement age was unilaterally imposed by the FAA without any input from ALPA. Since then many contracts have been negotiated with age 60 in mind. Many airline managements are backing the increase of this age so they can retain pilots longer and have to pay less to hire new pilots. But what age is OK? Why 65 ... why not 75 ? I know a 75 year old who still runs marathons? As a matter of fact why any age at all.

Ianhol is correct in stating that after a career of flying there comes a time to exit gracefully and let the younger generation progress. Many of the captains of large aircraft today were glad to see their predecessors leave so they could move up. Now for a few this is getting hard to do for as long as you are in charge you are somebody. The day you retire you are nobody. For others it could be a late start in their career or economic failures of the airlines they worked for. Regardless there are many things to do in aviation other than captain an airliner.

I feel that the age 60 rule helps set a limit as well as a goal. If I could retire 5 years earlier then great.